Are all HVAC air filters the same?

No, HVAC air filters vary by quality and size, and some have specs that others don't. Usually we recommend using the filter your HVAC manufacturer recommends pairing up with your installed unit, though you may be tempted to try some other filter type for convenience or to remove additional debris from your residence.

Filters have MERV ratings, which range from 1-20. MERV stands for "minimum efficiency reporting value". A higher MERV rating equates to fewer contaiminants pass through, and it catches finer particulates. This seems obviously good, and it can be, but a filter that stops finer dust and allergens will also clog up quicker, and pressure on your unit will rise. If your system has not been designed to work with this kind of filter, it can reduce your airflow within your residence, affecting your comfort and energy expenses. So what should you know before you buy? Unless you're a hospital, you simply don't need a MERV rating above 13. In fact, most residential HVAC systems are specifically designed to work with a filter with a MERV rating below 13, and most often you will learn that higher end systems have been made to work with a MERV rating of 8 or 11. All filters with a MERV rating of 5 should eliminate most of the everyday nuisances we know about such as pollen, pet dander, and lint. While some filters claim to be able to catch mold spores, we recommend hiring a pro to clean out any mold from your house you find, instead of trying to cover up the issue with a finer filter.

Usually the packaging shows how often your filter is recommended to be replaced. There are one-month filters and there are 3-month filters. You also have filters that are made flat like screen windows, and you have some that are built accordian style with supporting wire. In our experience, the accordian style filters weather better, and are worth a little extra.

You could also consider washable filters, also known as reusable filters. Some homeowners like the environmentally friendly aspect of it, since they don't want to add to a dump, and others consider it more convenient to simply slide out the filter and wash it off rather than making a special trip to the local hardware store for a filter of the proper size. These filters are often created to work several years and will save you cold cash over time, though they cost more initially. However, washable filters have to be dried out one hundred percent before placing it back to stop mold growth in your ducts. In addition, most washable filters usually have a MERV rating between 1 and 4, and they lose their efficiency over a period of time. Some washable filters have been built with updated technology, such as electrostatic air filters, that are meant to basically improve the MERV rating.

Finally, filters are composed from different materials. Fiberglass filters are what is bought most often, and are the disposable type. Polyester and pleated filters normally catch more debris, but also decrease the airflow in your house. And there are high efficiency particulate arrestance filters, or HEPA for short. While you may be tempted to buy a HEPA filter, just understand that's like putting a MERV 16 filter in your HVAC system and it's not unlikely that your unit was constructed to handle that kind of resistance.

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